With the holidays fast approaching, it truly is one of the best times of the year to connect with people.

It’s the time when a simple card, a quick pop by, or even an email greeting can remind people that you are still around and thinking about them. Even if you didn’t get a chance to touch base the other 364 days of the year, this one gesture can make up for lost time and set the tone for the upcoming year ahead.

It’s also the time for holiday parties.

Of course, there are always the crazy stories of what happens at these celebrations - too much spiked eggnog can last a long time when it comes to watercooler talk throughout the year. But as agents, it also gives you the opportunity to not only enjoy some holiday festivities but also network with peers, clients, vendors and those in your community that you work with day in and day out.

I was recently invited to a holiday party this past weekend with a fellow Realtor and friend Kathy, who works at a different agency.

It was at the home of the franchise owner, which was something to see just in itself – nearly 12,000 square feet of beauty filled with ornate statues, Mediterranean architecture, and the most gorgeous view of the intercoastal waterways with all the decorated yachts passing by. Between the open bar, the hor d'oeuvres and the full dinner buffet, we were treated like royalty as the sounds of the season filled the air (provided, of course, by live entertainment).

As we mingled and talked to other agents and guests throughout the night, the owner of the home and Broker was very gracious as he came up and talked to us. My friend had met him at prior functions but never had the chance to meet his family.

We stood chatting, and a woman came into the conversation circle, and introduced herself as Deborah. As we continued talking with them both, Deborah mentioned to Kathy that she wanted to bring their family out to see Kathy’s huge Christmas display that they put on each year for the community. Then she went and put her contact information directly in Kathy’s phone so that they can connect later in the week to make the trip to see the decorations.

Kathy was ecstatic!

Since she was new to the agency, she was thrilled that the owner would be bringing his family to her home and that she got to meet his wife and now had her personal contact information.

Then a few days later Kathy called me with a follow up to our party adventure.

She was in her office talking about the festive night with the other agents when she mentioned that the owner wanted to bring his family out to her home to see her Christmas display and that Deborah, his wife, gave her personal contact information.

The other agents looked bewildered and began to chuckle.

One agent said, “He’s not married. I’m not sure who you were talking to or whose information you got, but he doesn’t have a wife.”

Kathy and I laughed uncontrollably as we tried to figure out who we were talking to.

We still haven’t found the contact information in her phone from that night, but we did learn a valuable lesson about holiday networking: